The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is coming to a head. Another meeting of foreign ministers is now scheduled.
- The Ukraine conflict is causing tension. of Russia* Troops are stationed at the Ukrainian border – an invasion is considered a possible scenario.
- Russia is demanding a guarantee from NATO that it will rule out Ukraine’s accession. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) firmly rejected the demand.
- Nevertheless, Germany’s actions so far in the crisis have been criticized from many quarters.
- The news situation on the Ukraine conflict in the news ticker.
+++ 10.44 p.m.: According to Ukrainian and Western sources, Russia has gathered more than 100,000 soldiers at the Ukrainian border in recent weeks. The West therefore fears a major Russian attack on the neighboring country – Moscow denies it. Criticism of Germany has been raised time and again. In addition to the Federal Government’s clear “No” to arms deliveries, the behavior of Kay-Achim Schönbach was also sharply criticized.
After criticizing Germany’s behavior in the Ukraine crisis, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has now expressly expressed his confidence in the federal government. “I can tell you that Germans very much share our concerns and are determined and determined to respond,” Blinken said on NBC on Sunday. Germany is ready to “react quickly, effectively and in a united manner”. “I have no doubts about that,” added Blinken, referring to his conversation with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) a few days ago.
Ukraine Conflict: US Secretary of State Blinks with Clear Warning to Russia
In an interview with CNN, US Secretary of State Blinken also issued a clear warning to Russia. “If a single additional Russian force aggressively invades Ukraine, […], it would trigger a rapid, massive and united response from us and from Europe,” he stressed.
Ukraine conflict: New foreign ministers meeting planned
Update from Sunday, January 23, 2022, 7:35 p.m.: The Ukraine conflict is coming to a head. In view of the latest developments, the EU foreign ministers want to exchange views with their US colleague Antony Blinken on Monday (January 24, 2022). According to the EU’s foreign service, the American politician will join a physical meeting of European ministers in Brussels via video conference. One of the topics of the deliberations will be how to deal with demands made by Russia that are considered unacceptable. Blinken is also expected to report on the recent crisis talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Geneva.
According to diplomats, it is planned that the 27 EU states will make their position on the conflict clear again this Monday with a joint statement. In addition, sanctions planning should be pushed ahead in the event that Russia should actually attack Ukraine.
Ukraine conflict: Scholz reacts to criticism and rejects Russia’s demand
First report from Sunday, January 23, 2022: Kiev – In the midst of severe tensions in the Ukraine conflict, relations between Germany and Ukraine are also facing a crucial test. In addition to statements by the German naval chief Kay-Achim Schönbach, who has since resigned and who had campaigned for understanding towards Russia during an appearance in India, the rejected demand for arms deliveries from Germany is also causing conflicts between Berlin and Kiev.
Ukraine has repeatedly asked Germany for help since Russia has been stationing more and more military forces on the border with Ukraine. Berlin wants to support the country with a field hospital in February, but there are no weapons, said Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD*) clear in the “Welt am Sonntag”. “Weapons deliveries would not be helpful at the moment – that is the consensus in the federal government.”
Ukraine conflict: Baerbock promotes peace negotiations, Scholz rejects criticism
In view of the severe tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the German government is likely to find Kiev’s displeasure extremely inconvenient. Germany is mediating together with France in the Ukraine conflict that has been going on for eight years. foreign minister Annalena Bärbock* (Green*) only campaigned for a speedy resumption of peace negotiations on Wednesday (01/19/2022) and Thursday in Kiev and Moscow.
Chancellor too Olaf Scholz* (SPD) rejected criticism that the federal government and first and foremost his SPD did not position themselves clearly enough towards Russia. In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, he announced “that there would be high costs for Russia if there were military aggression against Ukraine.” Scholz nevertheless pleaded for a sense of proportion when it came to the threatened sanctions in the event of Russian aggression against Ukraine and pointed out that there was no measure “that would not have consequences for all of us”.
Scholz rejects Russia’s demands for a NATO guarantee in the Ukraine conflict
Efforts to defuse the conflict have been going on for days in various talks. the USA* and their Western allies are demanding a withdrawal of Russian troops massed on the Ukrainian border. In return, Moscow is demanding security guarantees and an end to the eastward expansion of the western military alliance NATO, which Russia sees as a threat.
In his talks with the Süddeutsche, Chancellor Scholz rejected Russia’s demands to rule out Ukraine’s accession to NATO and said the “guarantee” demanded by Russia could not exist: “Additional countries from Eastern Europe are expected to join NATO currently not on the agenda at all. What is the Russian demand for?” Scholz said in an interview with the newspaper.
Conflict with Russia: Great Britain and USA supply Ukraine with weapons and ammunition
In contrast to the refused arms deliveries from Germany, the USA once again showed its willingness to provide military aid to Ukraine at the weekend. Just a few hours after one Meeting of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken* with his Russian colleague Sergei Lavrov on Friday in Geneva, a US cargo plane landed at an airport in the capital Kiev.
According to the US Embassy in Kiev, there were 90 tons of cargo on board, including ammunition “for front-line defense”. More deliveries should follow. Also Great Britain* recently supplied Ukraine with anti-tank weapons, angering the government of Wladimir Putin*.
Ukraine conflict: London warns of Russian conspiracy, Russia denies
The Foreign Office in London also claimed on Saturday that Russia wants to establish a pro-Russian government in Ukraine. Former Ukrainian MP Yevgeny Murayev was mentioned by the British side as a possible candidate for the leadership position. However, the candidate named by London as a potential Moscow governor has been on a Russian sanctions list since 2018.
The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the British account “nonsense”. On the Telegram news channel, she called on the Foreign Office in London to stop “provocative activities”. The spread of this “disinformation” by the British media is once again proof “that the NATO countries, led by the Anglo-Saxons, are exacerbating the situation around Ukraine”. (ska with dpa/AFP) *fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
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